Where are north at?

[Thats Wright]

This year is done for North and maybe next year also, but there is talent there to harvest....maybe a little more than some think.

There is a fair bit of talent in a forward line of Brown, Wood, Higgins (Daw, Garner, Turner).

The defense could be strong with Tarrant, McDonald, McMillian, Atley (Thompson, Wright).

The midfield has potential with Goldstein, Ziebell as captain, Cunnington, Dumont, Clarke and Jacobs tagging, (Wells).

Injury free, the talent at North is enough to contest next year.

Adding an experienced key defender and 2 outside midfielders would potentially see a very strong side.

The problem that North faces is the group of 28-30 year olds.

Gibson, Swallow, Thomas and Hansen are all 1 trick ponies that are far too inconsistent and often spend half a season as pure liabilities. These players are what help North remain 6-12th permanently.

They are all proven failures over the long term and incapable of consistent roles that dont buckle their 1 trick under pressure. Thompson probably next in this line.

Using the extra tall forward in an attempt to lessen the responsibility of the main 2 is backfiring. The accountability spreads too far and is on par with the extra inside midfielder or when Hansen floats around the defense. Over plugging holes that can unsettle the opposition, but has eventually unsettled North.

In an ideal world, they'd give the coach the flick as well as the Captain. Having Brad Green as an assistant coach hardly inspires greatness either.

While Brad Scott is Brayshaw's golfing buddy and Mark Brayshaw is ceo of the coaches association, there's not much that can be done to rid north of its issues.

Out of the older brigade, Harvey, Wells and Firrito will be the only players missed. Waite could just about be cooked and taking him into 2017 could just be another excuse for the coach.

Ideally flick the following this year -

Petrie, Thomas, Gibson, Swallow, Ray, Nahas, Dal Santo, Black, Waite, Hansen, Scott, Green, Crocker.

Toss a coin with -

Harvey, Firrito, Wells, Mckenzie, Mullet, Thompson, Anderson, Wagner.

If Scott trots out Swallow, Thomas, Gibson and Hansen next year, you can pencil in a new era of finishing 9-12th.

They are primed for a refresh. The only problem is the coach has instilled a fear of change and failure to empower actual talent. His hypnotic stranglehold over the reigns at North will eventually make him fall on his sword.

Brad's given security to the club and list. It's run its course and as a football club, they risk creating a shambles if they continue down the current path.

Brad isn't the right man for 2017 as he's always been obliviously building towards a mini rebuild, more than a Premiership.

Is mediocrity worse than being shit? Probably not, but after 7 years of Brad's sports science and lack of empathy/poor development, it's time.

Could be an interesting first final with so many North players playing their last game or hanging out for an extension.

Could be quite a physical encounter and the Dogs will have to be brave to win.

 

[The Swert]

Out of the older brigade, Harvey, Wells and Firrito will be the only players missed.

Harvey and Wells are important players but Firrito....he's a thug with no skills.

Don't know how he has got to 270 games.

 

[Wooffa]

Harvey and Wells are important players but Firrito....he's a thug with no skills.

Don't know how he has got to 270 games.

He got to 270 because of his toughness; Does a great job

There is a fair bit of talent in a forward line of Brown, Wood, Higgins (Daw, Garner, Turner).

The defense could be strong with Tarrant, McDonald, McMillian, Atley (Thompson, Wright).

The midfield has potential with Goldstein, Ziebell as captain, Cunnington, Dumont, Clarke and Jacobs tagging, (Wells).

Injury free, the talent at North is enough to contest next year.

Adding an experienced key defender and 2 outside midfielders would potentially see a very strong side.

The problem that North faces is the group of 28-30 year olds.

Gibson, Swallow, Thomas and Hansen are all 1 trick ponies that are far too inconsistent and often spend half a season as pure liabilities. These players are what help North remain 6-12th permanently.

They are all proven failures over the long term and incapable of consistent roles that dont buckle their 1 trick under pressure. Thompson probably next in this line.

Using the extra tall forward in an attempt to lessen the responsibility of the main 2 is backfiring. The accountability spreads too far and is on par with the extra inside midfielder or when Hansen floats around the defense. Over plugging holes that can unsettle the opposition, but has eventually unsettled North.

In an ideal world, they'd give the coach the flick as well as the Captain. Having Brad Green as an assistant coach hardly inspires greatness either.

While Brad Scott is Brayshaw's golfing buddy and Mark Brayshaw is ceo of the coaches association, there's not much that can be done to rid north of its issues.

Out of the older brigade, Harvey, Wells and Firrito will be the only players missed. Waite could just about be cooked and taking him into 2017 could just be another excuse for the coach.

Ideally flick the following this year -

Petrie, Thomas, Gibson, Swallow, Ray, Nahas, Dal Santo, Black, Waite, Hansen, Scott, Green, Crocker.

Toss a coin with -

Harvey, Firrito, Wells, Mckenzie, Mullet, Thompson, Anderson, Wagner.

If Scott trots out Swallow, Thomas, Gibson and Hansen next year, you can pencil in a new era of finishing 9-12th.

They are primed for a refresh. The only problem is the coach has instilled a fear of change and failure to empower actual talent. His hypnotic stranglehold over the reigns at North will eventually make him fall on his sword.

Brad's given security to the club and list. It's run its course and as a football club, they risk creating a shambles if they continue down the current path.

Brad isn't the right man for 2017 as he's always been obliviously building towards a mini rebuild, more than a Premiership.

Is mediocrity worse than being shit? Probably not, but after 7 years of Brad's sports science and lack of empathy/poor development, it's time.

Could be an interesting first final with so many North players playing their last game or hanging out for an extension.

Could be quite a physical encounter and the Dogs will have to be brave to win.

Yer it could be a physical encounter. The 38 yo veteran spud trying to catch the Bont and falling flat his on his arse like last time . I am sure the dogs players are shitting themselves with the prospect of playing the pensioners in a final.

 

[Sando22]

About 8th

 

[Sando22]

Only the saints can make it. Melbourne are done.

Hmmm

 

[Beutbrute]

Out of the older brigade, Harvey, Wells and Firrito will be the only players missed. Waite could just about be cooked and taking him into 2017 could just be another excuse for the coach.

Ideally flick the following this year -

Petrie, Thomas, Gibson, Swallow, Ray, Nahas, Dal Santo, Black, Waite, Hansen, Scott, Green, Crocker.

I'd be very concerned about where your goals would come from sans Petrie, Thomas & Waite. Brown would then be taking the best defender. That reminds me a bit too much of Carlton a couple of years ago when they got rid of Betts, Waite, Garlett etc and had no forward line the next season.

 

[Thats Wright]

Harvey and Wells are important players but Firrito....he's a thug with no skills.

Don't know how he has got to 270 games.

He's responsible for 80% of the teams spine. Has a bit of speed in straight lines and in North terms, is an elite disposer of the ball. His stature will be missed amongst a fragile group of badly coached pay cheque professionals.

 

[Thats Wright]

He got to 270 because of his toughness; Does a great job


Yer it could be a physical encounter. The 38 yo veteran spud trying to catch the Bont and falling flat his on his arse like last time . I am sure the dogs players are shitting themselves with the prospect of playing the pensioners in a final.

Am sure they won't be shitting themselves. Just not scoring enough, especially under rabid dog one-off pressure.

 

[Thats Wright]

I'd be very concerned about where your goals would come from sans Petrie, Thomas & Waite. Brown would then be taking the best defender. That reminds me a bit too much of Carlton a couple of years ago when they got rid of Betts, Waite, Garlett etc and had no forward line the next season.

Fair to have that concern. But Brown and Wood are far superior to anything Carlton were left with.

It would take a new coach to adapt to life without Petrie etc. Thomas gets most of his easy goals due to the poor structure and setups (as shown in the B&F having never finished top 10 and rarely missed games). I think Harvey would kick a lot more goals if Thomas wasn't always in Joe the goose.

Waite would be 30/70 to play more than 10 games next year IMO.

Daw has some ability to cameo up forward and could bully some shit sides. Higgins has a lot of smarts and Ziebell and Cunnington have been begging to play more forward time.

Under a new coach, Wood and Ben Brown could quickly form a very dynamic and damaging combination.

 

[Beutbrute]

Fair to have that concern. But Brown and Wood are far superior to anything Carlton were left with.

It would take a new coach to adapt to life without Petrie etc. Thomas gets most of his easy goals due to the poor structure and setups (as shown in the B&F having never finished top 10 and rarely missed games). I think Harvey would kick a lot more goals if Thomas wasn't always in Joe the goose.

Waite would be 30/70 to play more than 10 games next year IMO.

Daw has some ability to cameo up forward and could bully some shit sides. Higgins has a lot of smarts and Ziebell and Cunnington have been begging to play more forward time.

Under a new coach, Wood and Ben Brown could quickly form a very dynamic and damaging combination.

You're right, it wouldn't be as bad as the Carlton forward line the following year, but I do have my doubts how it would function. I do rate Wood, but I don't think he has the weight/height to be a 2nd tall, and should be playing as the third tall, so I think you would need someone like Daw to get a lot more game time.

I think the result would be (at least in the near future) a very up and down forward line. Some great weeks and some ordinary ones.

 

[MotleyLemon]

lol - when have we ever bottomed out for any length of time. 1 bottom 4 finish since the afl started in 1990.

Same was being said about Geelong when their stars retired or left. Things change quickly in this game. But hey Saints are cooked for the next decade with Roo, Montagna and Fisher gone at seasons end.

Easy to make rubbish statements.....

Geelong won flags though.

 

[Thats Wright]

You're right, it wouldn't be as bad as the Carlton forward line the following year, but I do have my doubts how it would function. I do rate Wood, but I don't think he has the weight/height to be a 2nd tall, and should be playing as the third tall, so I think you would need someone like Daw to get a lot more game time.

I think the result would be (at least in the near future) a very up and down forward line. Some great weeks and some ordinary ones.

Ideally North would have Brown as Full forward with Goldstein and Daw rotating through CHF, (Goldstein elite kick for goal, strong mark).

This set-up would be structurally intimidating but would rely on flicking Petrie and Waite.

Wood is further advanced than many suspect due to being held back for so long. He is the perfect third tall, possibly elite and could bulk up on demand (if required).

Getting rid of momentum sapper Thomas will allow Harvey to play another year.

A fit Garner and Turner applying pressure with Harvey and Higgins smarts...

Ziebell, Cunnington and Wells rotating through with Wood and Higgins given time in the midfield.

Quite a formidable forward line

Anderson being shit hasn't helped. North simply have to remove their liabilities from each line. Thomas and Petrie, Swallow and Gibson, Hansen.. If they are to break free of mediocrity and allow the talent to flourish. There's no other way.

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

I'd be very concerned about where your goals would come from sans Petrie, Thomas & Waite. Brown would then be taking the best defender. That reminds me a bit too much of Carlton a couple of years ago when they got rid of Betts, Waite, Garlett etc and had no forward line the next season.

Where's Thomas going?

Our forward line isn't our issue going forward. Petrie goes this year, Waite next. Brown continues to improve. Wood looks like he could kick 40 off a full season. Daw looked good on Saturday, still could be anything. Lots of young smalls in Garner, Turner, Wagner who all have shown something. McKay and Durdin developing nicely - both first round tall forwards. Ziebell is a fantastic overhead mark and could and should be used forward more.

 

[Beutbrute]

Where's Thomas going?

Our forward line isn't our issue going forward. Petrie goes this year, Waite next. Brown continues to improve. Wood looks like he could kick 40 off a full season. Daw looked good on Saturday, still could be anything. Lots of young smalls in Garner, Turner, Wagner who all have shown something. McKay and Durdin developing nicely - both first round tall forwards. Ziebell is a fantastic overhead mark and could and should be used forward more.

Nowhere at the moment. I was replying to a scenario where he would be gone

 

[Thats Wright]

Where's Thomas going?

Into the record books as the only player with 200 games never to finish top 10 in a B&F.

Considering he's hardly had any injuries and North have been mediocre during his time... Unheard of I would've thought?

Could there be others?

 

[The Swert]

He's responsible for 80% of the teams spine. Has a bit of speed in straight lines and in North terms, is an elite disposer of the ball. His stature will be missed amongst a fragile group of badly coached pay cheque professionals.

That's not what my North-supporting friends say.

His eagerness to get into a fight often leaves his man unchecked.

His elite skills include 12 disposals a game of which 2 will be clangers and only 1 tackle per game.

I'm pretty sure he's never had a top 5 finish in the Syd Barker medal. Quite an effort for a 270 game player.

 

[Jack Bradley]

Into the record books as the only player with 200 games never to finish top 10 in a B&F.

Considering he's hardly had any injuries and North have been mediocre during his time... Unheard of I would've thought?

Could there be others?

Didnt he kick 50 goals in a season as a forward pocket?

That didnt get him a top 10 finish - thats crazy.

 

[Thats Wright]

That's not what my North-supporting friends say.

His eagerness to get into a fight often leaves his man unchecked.

His elite skills include 12 disposals a game of which 2 will be clangers and only 1 tackle per game.

I'm pretty sure he's never had a top 5 finish in the Syd Barker medal. Quite an effort for a 270 game player.

It is a bit surprising to hear North supporters so blind to his strengths. He's not the best player around and doesn't pretend to be, what he brings is a lot of intangibles that when gone, won't be filled at North currently.

Forwards/midfielders/rucks tend to finish higher in awards, unless you're Andrew McLeod.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

Gotta love Essendon and Richnond supporters laying into North a out the future.

LOL.

Build a team around Tarrant, Goldstein, Brown, Wood, McDonald, Daw, Higgins, Garner, Cunnington and Ziebell.

I don't know how shit we'll be, but I'm tipping we won't be too bad.

We still have a good spine and let's face it, our older players are giving us nothing at the moment.

 

[Super Hans]

lol - when have we ever bottomed out for any length of time. 1 bottom 4 finish since the afl started in 1990.

Same was being said about Geelong when their stars retired or left. Things change quickly in this game. But hey Saints are cooked for the next decade with Roo, Montagna and Fisher gone at seasons end.

Easy to make rubbish statements.....

Geelong were also one of the most successful teams of all time that had only really lost Ablett.

You can't compare the two.

 

[Thats Wright]

Didnt he kick 50 goals in a season as a forward pocket?

That didnt get him a top 10 finish - thats crazy.

Consistently inconsistent and generally finishes every year badly.

Lot of cheapies in that 50. Would be good to see a list of the top 20 B&F for the last decade. There must be some reasons why Scotts and North folk think he's better than Betts and Rioli.

 

[Jack Bradley]

Consistently inconsistent and generally finishes every year badly.

Lot of cheapies in that 50. Would be good to see a list of the top 20 B&F for the last decade. There must be some reasons why Scotts and North folk think he's better than Betts and Rioli.

So are you part of the North folk or just a troll? Because I haven't heard anyone say that for 2-3 years. And 2-3 years ago Betts and rioli were nowhere near as good as they are now.

 

[Wild Bill]

Geelong were also one of the most successful teams of all time that had only really lost Ablett.

You can't compare the two.

Ablett? Is Scarlett, Ling, Ottens, SJ, Chappy, Corey, Kelly and Stokes still playing for them. They were going to fall off the cliff for a decade as well.

 

[Thats Wright]

So are you part of the North folk or just a troll? Because I haven't heard anyone say that for 2-3 years. And 2-3 years ago Betts and rioli were nowhere near as good as they are now.

Meant to say 'some' North folk. Like that Darwin liability and others.

It's unusual for supporters and coaches to choose a type of personality over potential premiership success or respectability.

 

[Wild Bill]

Geelong won flags though.

But weren't you going to be bottom 4 for years when the stars left? It doesn't always happen as planned.